What prisoners say about Centering Prayer

“I feel the Spirit of God moving me to be aware of feelings of hurt, joy, sadness, pleasure. I want to get deeper because the deeper I go, the more
I have the opportunity to change…” H. L.

“The best part of Centering Prayer for me is to just sit and say my sacred word. I know I could ask God for anything, but I just sit and know that God loves and cares for me.” G.S.

“I don’t have the opportunity to talk to other inmates in solitary, so Centering Prayer and the Contemplative Fellowship is really important to me. My spirit is free. I am always with you during your Monday night meetings.” L. S.

“It’s like being in the eye of a storm. For that time (during entering Prayer) it is being quiet in the presence of God. It allows me to quiet down when I’m flooded with words.” A.M.

“For me the practice of contemplative prayer means a never-ending journey. There is always some new break-through. Everything that is not you and not God disappears into what is God or God’s love. When I come out of meditation I feel like I bringmore of God’s love back with me.” L.H.

“The fruits of this practice are obvious when you compare the attitudes of those who practice Centering Prayer with those of the general prison population… I think God speaks to us subtly in our lives. If we aren’t listening we might miss it or even doubt His existence. Centering Prayer is a stubborn child who patiently sits before the Father not to be ignored, waiting to feel His love.” P.D.

Contemplative prayer does not assume a particular religious faith, nor a particular prayer or Bible background. The only requirement is a willingness to explore the inner path to a relationship with God.